Summary
A 45-year-old father of three originally from El Salvador, now living in Boston, had a long history of lower back problems. Including a severe herniation four years prior treated with a microdiscectomy and laminectomy, followed by re-herniation a year later, and multiple steroid injections that provided no lasting relief. After seeking second and third opinions from Boston-area surgeons, all of whom recommended either pain management or spinal fusion at L4-5, he was unwilling to accept fusion at his age and with young children to care for. He found Deuk Spine Institute online and traveled to Florida, where Dr. Deukmedjian identified that both L4-5 and L5-S1 required treatment. A critical diagnosis the Boston surgeons had missed, which would have left him requiring a second surgery had he accepted the incomplete fusion recommendation. Nearly a week after his Deuk Laser Disc Repair® on both levels, he was virtually pain-free and focused on following his recovery instructions. Eager to reclaim his social life, his mental health, and his time with his kids.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good morning. Dr. Deukmedjian here March 18th, 2024 with one of my patients originally from El Salvador but now in Boston. You came down to Deuk Spine Institute because you had some problems with your discs in your lower back; they were re-herniated and degenerated. You’ve had back surgery before. Why did you come here to Deuk Spine Institute?
Patient: That’s correct. First of all, thank you. I had a long history of lower back issues. I had a severe herniation about four years ago and had a microdiscectomy with laminectomy. Re-herniated it about a year ago, had multiple steroid injections none of that really helped. I requested a second opinion in Boston and a third opinion, and most of the surgeons I saw in the Boston area said either live with it and deal with pain management, or spinal fusion at L4-L5. And I really did not want to have a spinal fusion at the age of 45. I have three young kids and a lot that I want to do with them. And I found you online.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Let’s talk about that because this is important. They recommended an invasive surgery spinal fusion, but they also recommended it just at L4-5. But you had two discs that were the problem. So imagine what would have happened if you had the fusion at L4-5. Would you have been fixed?
Patient: Yeah, I didn’t want to find that out.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: No, because your L5-S1 was also a problem, right?
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And you would have had to come back and get a second surgery. And that’s part of the problem the wrong diagnosis and under-treatment by other surgeons. That’s one thing Deuk Spine does not do. We get all your diagnoses and we do all the treatments at one time. All right well, carry on. What’s life going to be like for you now that you’ve gotten your Deuk Laser Disc Repair® done?
Patient: Well, I’m hoping a lot more enjoyable and manageable. I’ve adjusted my social life significantly in the last year or so around pain management. Removed a lot of activities that I enjoy, so I hope to be able to engage in those with my kids again. I know I’ve got more than a few weeks of healing ahead of me, but I’ll be strictly following the instructions you provided. Six weeks of rest, and up to a year of limited weight-bearing and so on and beyond that, just resume normal life. And it’s been difficult mentally as much as physically. I think a lot of people don’t appreciate that pain management affects you. Often far more mentally than it does physically. And those that are in your life. Family members get affected as much. So that’s the part I’m as excited about the mental health aspect as I am about the physical. Getting out of pain management, that’s really key. Getting a definitive procedure that fixes your problem.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Now, you came here with back pain. Do you still have that same back pain, or is it gone?
Patient: No, the back pain is more localized from where the incision is, and just a little bit of discomfort. But I sit here with you virtually pain-free as we speak.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good job. And you can see the surgery here. We did it last week, so you’re almost a week out of surgery. You can see the laser cleaning up the tears and the herniation. You had two discs that needed to be fixed. By the way, your surgery went perfect and your incisions look great. Anything else you want to say to your family, friends, and fans out there?
Patient: The same as many of your other patients have said do your research. Do not follow the first line of defense given to you by your local service provider. Do your research; it’s your back. Do everything you can to find the best care. I’m pleased I came to Dr. Deuk’s Institute and I’d be happy to provide guidance and references to anybody that asks about it.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, thank you so much. Safe travels back to Boston.
Patient: Thank you, sir. You’re welcome.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair at Deuk Spine Institute
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute for re-herniated and degenerated discs at both L4-5 and L5-S1. A complete diagnosis that multiple Boston-area surgeons had missed, recommending fusion at only one level and leaving the second source of pain entirely untreated. After a prior microdiscectomy and laminectomy failed to hold and steroid injections provided no lasting relief, the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® addressed both levels simultaneously in a single outpatient procedure. With no fusion hardware, no hospitalization, and no narcotic pain medication required. Nearly a week post-surgery the patient was virtually pain-free and working through his recovery protocol. At Deuk Spine Institute, every source of a patient’s back pain is identified and treated in one visit. Eliminating the risk of incomplete diagnoses and unnecessary return surgeries that result from treating only part of the problem. Patients can begin with a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian before traveling to Deuk Spine Institute